Hans van Helden

Hans van Helden (* April 27, 1948 in Almkerk, Noord- Brabant ) is a former French-Dutch speed skater.

Van Helden won in speed skating all-around European Championships in 1973 in Grenoble and 1974 in Eskilstuna, Sweden, its first international medals - silver and bronze in the Big Four battle. His most successful year was 1976, when he over 1500 m, 5000 m and 10,000 m, respectively Walk was a bronze medal at the Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria. The speed skating around World Cup 1976 in Heerenveen, Netherlands, he finished also by winning bronze after he had run over 5000 meters the fastest time. The Sprint World Championships he finished fourth. In addition, he presented over 1500 m and 5000 m in this season two new world records.

After van Helden could not for the Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, USA, qualifying in 1980, he decided to compete in the future for France. Through his marriage to the French speed skater Marie -France van Helden he had received the citizenship required.

Both in 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, as well as in 1988 in Calgary, Canada hero van took part in the Winter Olympics. His best result was a fourth place while above 1500 m in Sarajevo. Although he was not able to his earlier achievements, but still reached in the all around competition European Championships in 1984 in Alma -Ata, USSR over the 1500 m first place in the individual standings. In the overall classification, he finished sixth. 1988 at the same place he finished third on the 10,000 m at the World Championships all-around; the big four battle he finished eighth.

Based on the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France van Helden launched a comeback attempt, but could not prevail in qualifying and then ended his career.

Personal Best

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